Development Director

Mission: The Link works with youth and young families to overcome the impacts of poverty and social injustice. Our 23 programs provide supportive housing, intensive case management services, and skills development to youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness, sex trafficking and/or involvement in the juvenile justice system. The Link prides itself on its innovative, youth-centered, strengths-based programming for youth and families as well as programs that are co-designed, implemented and overseen by youth.

Position Specifics

• Hiring Salary Range: $96,004.00-$112,005.00/year based on qualifications
• Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt
• Location: North Minneapolis
• Hours/Days: Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00
• Note: This position requires driving. To be able to drive on behalf of The Link, candidates must have a valid driver's license, have a safe and reliable vehicle, be able to successfully clear a criminal and motor vehicle background check, and maintain personal insurance at the levels of $100,000 Bodily Injury/Per Person and $300,000 Bodily Injury/Per Accident. Job offer is contingent on having these requirements. 

BASIC FUNCTION

The Link seeks a strategic Development Director who is committed to reducing and ending youth homelessness, sex trafficking and reforming the Juvenile Justice System to join its executive team. This integral position will contribute to the advancement of the organization’s mission work with youth and young families. The Development Director is responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive development strategy that encompasses communications, marketing and all private fundraising for the organization including individual and major gifts, foundation giving, corporate partnerships, planned giving, annual appeals, and fundraising events. This position will heavily concentrate on increasing annual fund revenue through segmented solicitation, prospecting, acquisition and retention efforts. 

Annual Fund (70%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development strategy and annual plan to meet the organization’s development goals 
• Work closely with the Executive Team to establish a fundraising plan and participate in developing the overall strategic plan for the organization 
• Research new donor prospects and gift opportunities; make recommendations to the Development team and leadership on which to pursue 
• Researches, identifies, and contacts potential funding sources whose guidelines and requirements match those of the agency 
• Develops and implements strategies for securing major gifts in collaboration with the CEO and COO 
• Creates and implements donor segmentation for portfolio management and segmented solicitations 
• Maintain a portfolio of major donors and major donor prospects to steward, cultivate, and solicit 
• Use donor data to assess trends and develop strategies for year-over-year increases in overall giving, donor retention, and donor engagement 
• Collaborate with Finance Director, Contracts & Evaluations Director, CEO and COO to develop, manage and adjust agency budgets based on program needs and available funding 
• Lead staff and volunteers in executing development efforts, including Staff Development Committee, Events Committee and others as needed 

Staff Support (30%)

Marketing and Development – supports staff in: 

• Providing key supports in executing The Link’s fundraising events with direction and support from the CEO and COO (Elevate & Empower Gala, Rise for Change Breakfast and any additional events that may arise) 
• Supervises staff/contractors who develop and maintain the agency website, utilizing website for donor cultivation and recognition 
• All marketing activities including the development of marketing materials, creation of communication products, and the distribution of newsletters and annual reports 
• Creating and implementing new marketing strategies and methods 
• Assisting with the development and implementation of public relations plans 
• Helping with the coordination of activities involved in the preparation of advertising, promotions and publicity 
• Preparing compelling and consistent messages that are incorporated into fundraising and marketing materials 
• Ensuring that all donations receive a prompt thank-you and receipt 
• Utilizing social media for donor acquisition and peer-to-peer fundraising 

Grant – supports staff in: 

• Review of all grant applications allowing ample time for review of applications by Chief Executive Officer and other appropriate staff
• Developing grant proposal strategies for new and existing program areas and other initiatives
• Managing funder relationships, including proposals, reports, and other communications
• Working with CEO, COO and program staff to ensure that funder evaluations and reporting needs are met in a timely fashion 
• Ensuring recognition, acknowledgement and accurate record keeping for all gifts
• Developing and maintaining a calendar for tracking application and report deadlines
• Identifying and facilitating reporting and communications needs of funders
• Monitoring all grant statuses

Corporate and Community Engagement – supports staff in: 

• Developing strategies for building ongoing engagement from employee events/volunteerism
• Increasing community awareness of Link services
• Securing sponsorship and grant support through corporate relationships
• General Development Support 
• Strengthens the position of The Link regarding youth services
• Arranges and participates in speaking engagements with appropriate staff
• Promote awareness of the needs of the target population served
• Represents the organization and its point of view to agencies, organizations, and the general public

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preserve the integrity of the programs and agency 
• Demonstrate commitment to The Link’s mission and vision, and values of equity, diversity and inclusion 
• Support the overall growth of the agency 
• Maintain positive and healthy relationships with co-workers and other related parties 
• Assist where needed as a team player 
• Create a safe, respectful, and healthy atmosphere and environment where everyone can grow and learn 
• Participate in special projects as necessary 
• Attend all meetings and trainings as required 
• Maintain positive and professional interactions with clients, co-workers, and all parties involved 
• All other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Desire to continuously learn for personal and professional growth
• High level of personal and professional integrity, including ability to protect and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work effectively with and relate to diverse populations
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Professional demeanor
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently organize, coordinate, track and complete multiple tasks as well as adjust to changing priorities
• Computer application proficiency, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Adobe 
• Ability to successfully complete a criminal and motor vehicle background check 

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5-7 years of related professional and leadership experience 
• At least 2-5 years of supervisory experience required, including leading teams 
• AB in a related field is preferred 
• Established successful track record in fund-raising
• Experience managing successful special events and fundraising efforts
• Proven grant writing and editing skills
• Expertise in effective use of various media platforms
• Proficiency with computer programs including Microsoft Office applications (365), Adobe Creative Cloud, Neon One or others
• Proven ability to work on deadline and juggle a variety of responsibilities
• Public speaking experience
• Proficiency with developing and maintaining a website (WordPress)
• Ability to self-motivate in largely unsupervised settings?and be detail oriented 
• Demonstrated proficiency in accurate and persuasive written and verbal communication 
• Familiarity with social service agency operations, youth homelessness, sex trafficking and juvenile justice system. 
• Knowledge of local grant-making institutions, foundations, and community resources
• Experience working with fundraising committees and annual campaigns preferably in the youth services and/or homeless field
• Experience with program evaluation preferably in the youth services and/or homeless field
• Experience with mass mailings and knowledge of mass mailing requirements
• Knowledge of and experience with web-based communication

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• The employee is frequently required to use manual dexterity for use of objects, tools or controls as well as visual acuity
• The employee is required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Work environment for this position includes offices, common and community space with a low to high noise level
• Ability to work some weekends and evenings for fundraising events as needed
• Requires ability to drive a personal vehicle

OTHER

The Link is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The Link complies with laws relating to discrimination against qualified applicants and employees in hiring or in any decision affecting job status or pay, based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, familial status, covered veteran status, public assistance status, membership in a local commission, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, or other applicable protected classes. 

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.